Turkey encourages robust family structures by channeling resources into women's personal development
Turkey's Family Support Centers Empower Women Nationwide
Turkey's Family Support Centers (ADEM) are transforming lives across the country, offering free, comprehensive programs aimed at women's empowerment, vocational training, and family well-being. With over 559 centers nationwide, ADEM provides a wide range of services to women of all backgrounds.
The programs focus on enhancing women's economic participation, cultural engagement, family stability, and overall personal growth. Services include structured courses, workshops, counseling sessions, and social support delivered by professional staff from the Ministry of Family and Social Services and partner institutions.
Minister of Family and Social Services, Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, emphasized the importance of empowering women in all spheres of life. Through ADEM, women are provided with vocational skills training, personal development workshops, and psychosocial support. Many participants go on to sell their handmade products at community bazaars organized by the centers, enabling them to generate income and build financial independence.
Citizens interested in participating in the free courses and programs can visit their nearest ADEM center to apply. Nearly all ADEM centers include dedicated nursery and playroom spaces for children aged 0-6, supervised by trained early education professionals. This arrangement allows women to focus on their personal development while ensuring their children are well cared for.
The ADEM centers offer opportunities for social interaction and community building. They serve as community hubs, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose among participants. The centers aim to reinforce family structures, promote national and cultural values, support women's personal development, and increase their participation in economic life.
In 2024, a partnership was launched with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change to integrate the Zero Waste initiative into social services. Thanks to the leadership of first lady Emine Erdoğan, the ministry is working to instill zero waste awareness in every home. The Zero Waste initiative has been adopted in ADEM centers as part of a broader effort to promote environmental responsibility at the household level.
Minister Göktaş stated that ADEM centers are transforming lives and that the ministry aims to reach even more women in 2025. The ministry's commitment to sustainability is evident in their integration of the Zero Waste initiative into ADEM programming. The ministry will continue expanding the ADEM network in line with local needs and demand, ensuring that these life-changing programs remain accessible to women across Turkey. This year, 60,000 women benefited from programs provided by 559 Family Support Centers (ADEM).
In summary, ADEM programs specifically include:
- Vocational training to improve job skills and employability
- Personal development and psychosocial well-being workshops and counseling
- Social support services reinforcing family structures and cultural values
- Education designed to increase women’s participation in economic and social life
These comprehensive services aim to empower women while supporting family unity and national progress.
- The Family Support Centers (ADEM) in Turkey are offering free programs focused on enhancing women's economic participation, cultural engagement, and family stability, as part of their mission for empowering women nationwide.
- Through structured courses, workshops, counseling sessions, and social support, ADEM aims to provide women with vocational skills training, personal development, and psychosocial support.
- By selling their handmade products at community bazaars organized by the centers, many participants are able to generate income and establish financial independence.
- The dedicated nursery and playroom spaces in ADEM centers ensure children aged 0-6 are well cared for, allowing women to concentrate on their personal development.
- ADEM centers serve as community hubs, fostering unity and shared purpose among participants, and reinforcing family structures and promoting national and cultural values.
- In 2024, a partnership was established with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change to integrate the Zero Waste initiative into social services, with a goal of promoting environmental responsibility at the household level.
- To further the commitment to empower women, ADEM centers plan to expand in 2025 to reach even more women across Turkey, offering education and skills training designed to increase their participation in economic and social life.
- In addition to vocational and personal development training, ADEM focuses on providing social support services to strengthen family structures and foster cultural values, all aimed at the overall well-being and progress of women and the nation.
